Joya v. Marquez

Summary

Chester De Joya challenged through certiorari and prohibition the warrant of arrest issued against him for syndicated estafa charges. The case arose from Manuel Dy Awiten's investment of over P114 million in State Resources Development Management Corporation, where De Joya served as incorporator and director. When the corporation's return checks bounced, criminal charges were filed. The Supreme Court dismissed De Joya's petition, ruling that the trial judge properly found probable cause based on substantial evidence including NBI reports, bounced checks, and corporate documents. The Court emphasized that probable cause for warrant issuance requires only prima facie evidence, not proof of guilt. Significantly, the Court noted that De Joya's refusal to surrender to the court's jurisdiction undermined his standing to seek relief, reinforcing the principle that one must submit to a court's jurisdiction before invoking its protection.